Taller timber towers could be making their way towards Kelowna.

Kelowna city council decided on Monday to send an expression of interest to become part of the provincesa国际传媒檚 early adoption initiative to build encapsulated mass timber buildings from seven to 12 storeys in Kelowna.

The provincial government announced in March it would be proactively adopting building code changes that allow for the safe construction of taller wood buildings, which are currently allowed only up to six storeys high.

With both provincial and national codes set to change in the next few years, Kelowna is hopping on the encapsulated mass timber train a few years early.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e excited to see Kelowna leading innovations in the construction industry,sa国际传媒� development services director Mo Bayat said. sa国际传媒淏ecause many of the components are pre-assembled in mass timber it translates to a much faster build with less disruption to the neighbourhood.sa国际传媒�

Mass timber buildings can be around one-fifth the weight of comparable concrete buildings, while still meeting safety standards, structural resilience and fire protection. The buildings also encourage innovation through value-added wood products, helping to grow local and global markets, while promoting climate-friendly construction and supporting B.C.sa国际传媒檚 forest-dependent communities. Cost savings, as well as ease and quality of assembly, are other significant benefits.

sa国际传媒淕iven the economies of scale with steel or concrete these buildings tend to be high-rises,sa国际传媒� Bayat said. sa国际传媒淎llowing for taller wood construction creates more flexibility for housing forms and types, particularly in infill projects.sa国际传媒�

This is not Kelownasa国际传媒檚 first foray into pioneering the wood-frame construction industry. In 2009, Ellis Court became the first wood-framed building in B.C. to rise above four-storeys.

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michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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